Juan Ramirez Jr. sworn in as Laredo ISD trustee for District 1

Juan Ramirez Jr. was sworn in as trustee for District 1 of the Laredo Independent School District during a special ceremony at the Amber Urie Boardroom.

Judge Hugo Martinez of Webb County Court at Law No. 1 administered the oath of office and Ramirez repeated the pledge to uphold the constitutions and laws. The event included an invocation and a national-anthem performance by the Martin High School mariachi.

The ceremony’s introduction was delivered by Ramirez’s daughter, Juanita Jacqueline Ramirez, who outlined her father’s background: a Martin High School alumnus, a Saint Mary’s University political science graduate and a juvenile court coordinator and court interpreter for Webb County. She said Ramirez has focused on school safety, anti-bullying efforts and vaping awareness. “He keeps his promises,” Juanita Ramirez said, introducing her father.

During the introduction, Juanita Ramirez said that “Mr. Ramirez and Rudy Morales and [the] Risk Rio Grande International Study Center partnered up and received a $3,100,000 grant in the US Department of Forestry to improve green space in our districts.” That grant and the agency name were stated during the ceremony; the district has not provided independent documentation of the award or the agency name as spoken at the event.

In remarks after taking the oath, Ramirez thanked family, colleagues and the district staff and said he is committed to students and his constituents. He noted that some campuses had previously been at risk of state takeover but credited board members, administrators and teachers with improvements that have led to recognized campus ratings. Ramirez closed by reiterating his availability to constituents and his intention to serve the district.

The board took a group photo and the host closed the ceremony. No formal motions or votes were recorded in the transcript for this meeting.